Raijor Dal president and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi began a day-long hunger strike in Guwahati on Thursday, September 17, demanding enhanced financial assistance and compensation for families affected by the recent floods in Upper Assam.
Gogoi is staging the protest in Dispur from 8 am to 4 pm. The agitation is part of Raijor Dal’s continuing campaign seeking higher compensation, rehabilitation and greater government assistance for people who suffered losses during the floods.
The Raijor Dal leader has demanded immediate financial assistance of Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 for every flood-affected family. He has also sought compensation of Rs 10 lakh for families whose homes or property were damaged or destroyed, as well as for affected business establishments.
The demands come against the backdrop of the state government’s relief measures. The Assam government has already transferred Rs 15,000 each to thousands of flood-affected families in Upper Assam districts, including Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat. On September 1, the government said Rs 25.12 crore had been transferred to 16,746 affected families in the three districts.
Gogoi, however, has argued that the existing assistance does not adequately cover the losses suffered by affected households. He has also alleged that several eligible families were left out of the relief process and has called for a review to ensure that all genuinely affected people receive assistance.
He has criticised both the Assam government and the Centre over their response to the floods. Gogoi has alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not visit the affected areas of Upper Assam or assess the situation in remote locations following the floods. He has also alleged that the Centre did not announce any special assistance for the affected population.
The Raijor Dal leader has further alleged that the political focus of ruling party leaders, ministers and MLAs on the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election has come at a time when flood-affected families are still seeking relief and rehabilitation.
Gogoi has also demanded a CBI investigation into the causes of the Upper Assam floods, including alleged illegal mining and other activities that he claims may have aggravated the impact of the disaster. He has sought an independent investigation to establish the reasons behind the extent of the damage and fix responsibility.